Patrick Awuah Jnr, President and Founder of Ashesi University, has strongly opposed any proposal to dismantle Ghana's Free Senior High School (SHS) programme, emphasizing its pivotal role in national development. His comments come amid debates about the future of the policy as the country approaches the 2024 elections.
The Free SHS policy, launched in 2017, ensures free access to secondary education for all Ghanaian students. While John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, has pledged to abolish the double-track system and review the policy, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vowed to sustain and improve the programme if elected president.
Speaking with Bernard Avle on *The Point of View*, Mr. Awuah argued that discontinuing the Free SHS programme would be detrimental to the progress Ghana has made in education and economic development.
The Case for Free SHS
Mr. Awuah underscored the constitutional mandate for progressively free education and the undeniable correlation between secondary education access and economic growth. He noted that countries with higher secondary education enrollment often experience stronger GDP growth.
“The idea that everyone should have access to secondary education is not just right; it’s enshrined in our constitution. There’s a strong correlation between GDP growth and the percentage of the population with secondary education. Dismantling Free SHS is not an option when it is actively benefiting students,” he explained.
Learning from Implementation Challenges
Reflecting on the implementation of the Free SHS programme, Mr. Awuah acknowledged both its successes and challenges. He pointed out that the policy could have been introduced more gradually with a clear, phased plan over a decade. However, he argued that the debate about whether to launch the programme is now obsolete, as students are already benefiting.
“Ten years ago, the conversation was about whether we should implement Free SHS immediately or adopt a gradual approach. Today, we have children in classrooms who depend on this programme. The conversation should no longer be about dismantling it but about improving its quality,” he emphasized.
Enhancing the Policy
Mr. Awuah called for a shift in focus from debating the programme’s existence to addressing how to enhance its outcomes. He highlighted the need to invest in resources and infrastructure to ensure all students receive quality education.
“The priority should be improving the quality of education for every child. This includes increasing resources for students, addressing infrastructure deficits, and ensuring adequate teacher training. The conversation now should center on how we build on the foundation Free SHS has laid,” he said.
A Call for National Consensus
The Ashesi University founder also lamented the lack of consensus in Ghana’s education policy discussions. He urged stakeholders to adopt a more collaborative approach to long-term planning and policy implementation.
“The way we have made decisions in Ghana hasn’t always allowed for patience and consensus-building. We must move beyond short-term debates and align on long-term goals for education, ensuring that every decision prioritizes the well-being of students,” he added.
A Path Forward
As Ghana’s Free SHS policy enters its second decade, Mr. Awuah’s remarks highlight its transformative potential. While acknowledging implementation challenges, he urged policymakers to focus on refining and sustaining the initiative rather than dismantling it.
With education as a cornerstone of national development, the debate around Free SHS represents a critical moment for Ghana to prioritize its youth and future.
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